Former Denville cop gets 3 years in prison for stealing Oxycodone, heroin from evidence room

Robert Sciarrino/The Star-Ledger/Court PoolFormer Denville police officer Eugene Blood, right is shown in a November file photo. Blood today was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing Oxycodone and heroin from the department's evidence room

DENVILLE — A former Denville police officer was sentenced to three years in prison today for stealing Oxycodone and heroin from the department's evidence room.

Eugene Blood, 38, a Denville resident and officer for nine years, pleaded guilty in December to taking the drugs from the locker between 2010 and 2011 while working as the evidence officer, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said.

Before he was sentenced, Blood apologized for stealing the drugs, which his lawyer said he took to feed a painkiller addiction. "I'd like to apologize for my actions," Blood said in front of Judge David Ironson in Morristown. "I've ruined my own life, ruined my kids' life, and ruined my wife's life," he said, his voice cracking.

Blood pleaded guilty to a single count of official misconduct, which carries a mandatory 2-year prison sentence before parole eligibility.

Blood also gave up his job, his pension and any future public employment in New Jersey.

His attorney, Edward Bilinkas, said Blood attended counseling and an in-patient program for the addiction. Bilinkas also said his client suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from an incident while working as a police officer. Blood responded to a distress call in Denville and encountered a man who pointed a gun at him at close range. The man then turned the weapon on himself and committed suicide.

Blood is a decorated army veteran who won numerous commendations as a police officer.

At the sentencing, Bianchi called Blood an excellent cop who did his job well up until the offense. He called the situation "heart breaking."

"It's sad that because of an addiction to painkillers that people do these things," Bianchi said. "Mr. Blood not only led an exemplary life but was very forthcoming with what he did and assisted law enforcement in cleaning up the mess."

As a result of his theft, numerous drug cases were compromised, Bianchi said.

As a sheriff's officer handcuffed Blood in court, Judge Ironson told him: "You will get out of jail in a few years. You're a young man. I don't think your life is ruined."